Is there a standard, either written or unwritten, as to the orientation of the toggle switches and turnouts? That is, if the toggle is down, is the turnout set for straight or the turn? (My preference has been down = straight-through.)
Richard
Everybody handles this differently. I set mine up like the turnout levers on a CTC machine - left is normal and right is diverging. For every turnout on a machine, the operator doesn't have to think about how it's oriented on the layout, only that left = straight through. Any standard you set should be OK as long as you're consistent.
Rob Spangler
If I were using vertical-moving toggle switches to control and indicate swtiches, I would have down for the main line, and up for not-the-main line. Whether either was straight or curved would not matter.
Thus, all switches down would be a clear main. Any switches in the up position would stand out as deserving attention.
Ed
I presume that you are using stall motors or a similar constant contact machine. I have a track diagram on each of my panels. The toggle indicates the direction of travel on the schematic. An operator can then glance at the panel to see how the points are lined for the switch in question.
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Pick one direction as "normal". Picking a "fail safe" direction is best. On toggles that might be down since if they were bumped down would be where they would probably go. People who use push rods typically have "normal" as pushed in, since if the switch rod is bumped it fails to normal and normal is the most protected (stick out less.)
If the toggles are mounted on the fascia where they can be seen scanning down the fascia, up or down may be easier to spot. If they are on panels where one is standing in front of them, then left right would be just as easy to see as up-down.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
All: Thanks for the comments. It sounds like I made a legitimate decision with down for the main line.
Down = Normal doesnt matter if you are modeling an interlocking tower or the control panel on a jet aircraft.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Contrarian reporting, suh. We do things differently:
Switch control toggles mounted in vertical face control panels are arranged so the handle indicates which way the points were last moved. That may be up, down, left or right, depending on the orientation of the schematic track diagram.
Switch control toggles mechanically connected to the points of non-CTC turnouts are normal-away/reverse toward. Normal is the preferred point position, whether straight or curved and whether the point making contact is nearer to or farther from the fascia. Since the mechanical linkage is fishing line, normally slack but under tension when reversed...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I solved this problem years ago with illuminated pushbuttons in the track diagram.......push the button for the route you want, all the needed turnouts align, lights stay lit to show the route.
Sheldon
7j43k If I were using vertical-moving toggle switches to control and indicate swtiches, I would have down for the main line, and up for not-the-main line. Whether either was straight or curved would not matter. Thus, all switches down would be a clear main. Any switches in the up position would stand out as deserving attention. Ed
Rich
Alton Junction
Like some here, I really like including the bicolor led by the toggle using green for straight, red diverging
For fun, added red/green switch indicator lights on layout by mainline turnouts for straight / diverging indication.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent